Posted by EdwardTLC

As readers will recall, actor Warwick Davis (Professor Flitwick & Griphook) has published his autobiography, Size Matters Not, which is on sale in the UK now. Today, TLC has the first of a few special treats from the actor, who has furnished us with a selection from his autobiography. Chronicling Mr. Davis’ life and thirty year career, Size Matters Not, covers his many experiences working in film, including his time on the Harry Potter films. The following excerpt details an experience working with fellow Harry Potter actors Alan Rickman (Snape), Maggie Smith (McGonagall) and Michael Gambon (Dumbledore):

From Chapter Eighteen: Pottering About

There was one memorable occasion when I got to have a long chat with the older and more established actors. It was during a long night shoot when we had to wait a long time between shots while the special-effects people arranged all their gizmos for a particularly explosive sequence.

We were outside, and I was flattered to see that my chair had been put in a group with Alan Rickman, Maggie Smith (Minerva McGonagall) and Michael Gambon (Albus Dumbledore).

The four of us sat, in full costume, huddled around a tiny heater chatting through the night. Michael was a masterful storyteller and told some incredible tales with fantastic punch lines ’ most of which I can’t remember ’ and I’ve been sworn to secrecy for those that I do.

It was sometimes hard for me to follow the conversation because they’d use first names. For example, Michael might ask, ˜Have you worked with Robert?’ and then you’d realise five minutes later that he was talking about de Niro.

But there was one subject about which we both were experts.

˜What do you think of these beards, Warwick?’ Michael asked.

˜Well, they’re a bit of a pain, to be perfectly honest.’

˜Yes, they most certainly are, these wisps get absolutely everywhere. If I use my arms and wand it always gets entangled and I yank the thing right off my face. And don’t get me started on food. Dinner is a total nightmare.’

I nodded in wholehearted agreement.

A couple of days later, we were having lunch in full costume when Michael sat down at the table with a large canvas bag. He tied it around his neck and placed his beard inside and then was able to eat his tagliatelle without having to worry about consuming half of his beard at the same time.

How did the lucky sod get one of those? I wondered, as I battled with forks, pasta and hair.

Michael also loved a joke. After lunch one day, Michael’s make-up artist was removing his beard-bag before a shot. As she pulled it away she was amazed to see that Michael had woven a string of prawns, vegetables and other foody assortments into the beard.

Additionally, friends of Warwick and fans of Harry Potter can get Size Matters Not for the very special price of Â£10 (RRP Â£16.99) at waterstones.com. Just enter promo code WD9371 at checkout.Finally, Mr. Davis is also offering his twitter followers the chance to win a money-can’t-buy Harry Potter prize; a framed set of seven extremely rare signed Harry Potter movie signature cards, each featuring a character he played in the Harry Potter movies. To enter, follow Warwick on Twitter, and retweet his tweet about the Waterstones.com offer. This offering is only available to residents of the UK.Stay close to TLC for even more coverage of Size Matters Not in the coming days.

kiwimci says: I love Michael Gambon. Must be one of the only people in the world who thinks its hilarious he plays Dumbledore. Both were rebels and took things lighthearted. I think Dumbledore would chuckle away at Gambon's interpretation. They'd get on well.
Also apparently Warwick Davis is filming a pilot for the BBC for Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant's new TV show about the life of a dwarf- cannot wait for that!Mr. Brightside says: lmao food in his beard! :DNatalie says: Sometimes I feel like Gambon is more like Dumbledore when he is not memorising a line! Evagirl says: LOL, no wonder Gambon is (arguably) the perfect Dumbledore.alicia00 says: wow coolvespasian68967 says: Hmm, if only they'd film Gambon when he's not in character; sounds like he'd do a better performance. Anyway, happy to see a biography from Mr. Davis. I loved his performance in Willow.bellaohbella says: ohh coool
Giant Squid says: Michael Gambon is so much like Dumbledore its crazy!!!nwrosey says: Yoda should sue Flitwick/Griphook/Wicket. LolFilmGirl27 says: Gosh I wish Michael Gambon would be more like that on film. Oh well. :)
Warwick Davis is awesome! :PHermione Elizabeth says: Love that little excerpt! I can see it now, all of them in full costume having a normal chat on set. And yes, it does seem like Gambon is more like Dumbledore when he's acting like himself. lol :)Total-Eclipse014 says: The bit about food in his beard, so reminded me of Dumbledore. I laughed and my sister stared at my strangely. hprocks2700 says: He's awesomeNumeroUnoFan says: gotta love warwickinspired_by_you says: "Michael also loved a joke. After lunch one day, Michaelâ€™s make-up artist was removing his beard-bag before a shot. As she pulled it away she was amazed to see that Michael had woven a string of prawns, vegetables and other foody assortments into the beard..."
haha lolhewy says: Mr. Davis is an amazing actor. Hope his book comes to USA soon!Love is the greatest magic says: I agree with Natalia {ROAR} and the others who made the same point. I'm not overly fond of Gambon as Dumbledore but from that quote he seems the perfect person to play him. Anyway, the book sounds like a good read. He seems so sweet the way he was talking about the other actors. harrypotterfreak101 says: That sounds great! The book the contest! What more could a Harry Potter fan want in life?nealiezealbie says: i second @natalia!!! he is more like dumbledore when not memorizing a script! how come i never knew about this hilarious michael??? why doesnt/didnt he let that through in dumbledore!?!?! jeez. anyway...
warwick, warwick, how i do love the way you play flitwick. and how incredibly sorry i am that someone decided to give you, as flitwick, a time-turner and somehow you ended up stuck as yourself 40 years past. (sigh) that haircut is rather...ughh. personally, i enjoyed the tiny santa claus look quite a lot. :( I love my Spectra Specs says: I agree that Gambon seems more like Dumbledore when he's not being filmed.cheeserpleaser says: It sounds like this will prove an entertaining read from him!Little Light says: Michael Gambon is awesome! And so is Warwick!halfbloodprincesss says: i love that michael gambon has a great sense of humor! it cracks me up to know that he can play the more serious roles and still have some light-hearted momentsToNkS_rip says: awesome. just totally awesomegirlatty1 says: Fantastic!jhangelgurl says: So when will the book be released in the US?ScarStruck says: Awwww that's so great. =Djngotro says: Wow, I laughed soooo hard at that. He should incorporate some of his real humor into his performance, it would make him so much more believable as Dumbledore. They shouold have had him improv some jokes like that to use in the movies, since he is a natural at it anyway. :)BillieMac says: From what I heard of Michael Gambon on PoA disk 2, I'm not surprised. Most of the outtakes seem to be Rickman cracking up over some prank of Gambon's. They're old theatre buddies, So Michael knows how to push Alan's buttons. As to Gambon improving, it seems nothing he would improv would be PG.
The Chapters I'm looking forward to are on Willow. Mr. Davis was only 17 when he did that one, and Ron Howard was very concerned about having a minor, especially a dwarf, go through a workout similar to Harrison Ford.Animalover95 says: Wonder when/if this will be available in the US.? SigmaKnight says: Davis has been a truly great and inspiring actor throughout his career! So glad he got to be a part of the Potter series, and really steps it up for DH!beallgood01 says: I don't normally read autobiographies but I may have to pick this one up.Fifi says: Wow, that is so funny! :D Gambon should be more like himself when playing Dumbledore!azaadpotter says: warwick rocks
gingersnap188 says: You know, even if the beards were a pain, boy am I glad they put up with them because it really adds to the movies!sgreeter8888 says: What a super cool guy. I am interested in reading that book. WeenyOwl says: So if Michael Gambon has the capacity (and even the inclination) to act zany in real life, why oh why couldn't he have brought that quality to his portrayal of Dumbledore? Why does he have to act like he's playing King Lear all the time, grim and foreboding, when JKR's concept of Dumbledore was that his prodigious power lies hidden beneath an eccentric, gentle, lighthearted exterior except when someone is in danger? I can't stand Gambon's interpretation and greatly regret that Peter O'Toole turned down the role when Richard Harris died. Imagine the character of Jack, the mad Earl of Gurney, played by O'Toole in "The Ruling Class," as an elderly man and you'd get the perfect tone for Dumbledore.ButterMeer says: HAHA! Gambon is an awesome Dumledore off set <3JessSnape says: I love Warwick!! He is probably one of my favorite actors (all the way back to Willow!!)
I am sad that only UK residents can get the book for a special price... Us here in the States would love to get it too:/Smitch says: I'd love to read this inside edition from his perspective. Alice Weasley says: Loved this!! Can't wait to read the whole book!!!Scatach says: Kudos to the short people! Gotta love warwick. And Michael Gambon makes me LMAO!Not Slytherin says: This book sounds like a riot!